Turning Point: Confronting the Past

Aloha,

It seems as if it’s been forever since I’ve been behind the screen on my daily devos. I am currently working with a Community Service Worker and my time has been diverted elsewhere in the mornings. This is both good and bad. On a positive note I am able to reveal God’s love to another individual. On the downside, I have yet to find my rhythm for the mornings.

Over the last few weeks we have taken a look at the transformation of Saul/Paul in Acts 9, 22, and 26. In our 3 week mini-series we talked about the necessity for God encounters, confronting our past, and accepting our new appointments. Today and tomorrow I will try to recap some of the highlights of the latter two.

Enjoy your day,
Allen

Thoughts
Proverbs 28:13
        He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Following his encounter with the risen Savior, Saul, on his way to becoming Paul, had to make a hard confrontation with his former self. Realizing the validity of Jesus Christ, the apostle had a lot of wrongs that he couldn’t make right. His zealous attempt to extinguish the fire of Christianity had been nothing more than an outright attack on the One he believed he was fighting for. Though he would be changed, the apostle would not be able to bypass the reality of his former life.

Each of us have a past. And, for most of us, that past is filled with selfish, despicable acts that are in direct violation to the person Christ longs for us to be. It is my challenge that if we truly desire a turning point in our lives, we must confront our past. We cannot ignore it, down play it, or blame it on someone else. Confronting your past is the key to confession. I must be able to own my sin and my past, as painful as that might be.

In an article concerning the apostle Paul, Jimmy Sighers wrote:

“Mercy tempers the shock of our sinfulness leading us to genuine repentance rather than despair. The experience of God’s mercy fosters a deep sorrow for and a profound detestation of sin. Then we can declare with St. Paul: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25)!“ (ST. PAUL AND CONFRONTING ONESELF By Jimmy Sighers; http://www.totustuus.com/StPaulAndConfrontingOneself.pdf)

The follow-up to the first statement is this: Confession brings forgiveness and forgiveness leads to new life. 1 John 1:9 makes it clear that our confession leads us to Christ’s forgiveness. It is when we are able to confess that we have a sinful past and our inability to fix it ourselves, then Christ’s forgiveness comes as natural by-product of our confession of Him. However, if we avoid the confession, we forfeit the forgiveness and the truth is not in us (1 Jn 1:8,10).

Here are a few brief lessons the apostle Paul learned following his transformation experience on the Damascus road:

        1. Your former acquaintances are former.
                As Paul began to share of his revelation of Jesus, his old companions sought to kill him. Once his friends, they were now his enemies. He later writes in 1 Cor. 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” If we’re going to truly be transformed, we will have to change the circle of our old friends.

        2. Allow time for your new life to be accepted.
                We often times talk about turning over a new leaf and we often times let people down because we do not truly change. So whenever truly experience transformation, we must understand that it takes others time to recognize the true change Christ has made in us. It took the original apostles a bit of time to warm up to the idea that Paul really was transformed and not an impostor. Allow people time to accept your transformation.

        3. Freedom from our past comes from our faith in Christ for our future.
                Thankfully, there was an encourager like Barnabas that testified, by faith, of the transformed Paul. While others were questioned his authenticity, Barnabas leveraged his reputation on behalf of Paul. Here we find that true freedom from our past comes with our faith in Christ for our future. More than believing in Paul, I believe Barnabas believed in the Christ who lived in Paul. I can find freedom from my past when I trust Christ for my future.

Application
According to 1 John 1:9, what are the differences between forgiveness and confession?

Is it possible that we want forgiveness without confession?

Has someone believed in your future and leveraged that for your benefit? Have you helped someone else overcome their past reputation?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for the freedom from our past. As pilau (rotten) as the apostle Paul was, and I am, You offered forgiveness through his confession of his sins and faith in Christ. As I continually seek to live more like You, help me to ever keep confession as a part of my life and faith as a part of my freedom. I acknowledge my past, but I find freedom for my future in my faith in Christ. Lead us to become an overcoming Church in Your name.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Offensive Gate

October 9, 2008
Text: 1 Peter 1:22-25
Title: The Offensive Gate

Thoughts:

Growing up on a dairy farm there are numerous occupational hazards. While they are not deadly or life threatening, electric fences certainly posed an occupational hazard for me. When working properly, these fences defined the respective boundaries for the cows, kept order, and increased efficiency throughout the farm. However, there were the occasional occurrences when this beautiful invention moved outside of its own boundaries. On multiple occasions the result was an unexpected shock from a gate that wasn’t even connected to the electricity. Nevertheless, the rogue electricity wave would send a rather unwelcome and unappreciated greeting throughout the body. Today, I still use a multiple pat system before I ever grab a gate completely, even if it’s not connected to any electricity.

One of my favorite, "non-offensive" gates on Mana Road.

As I read 1 Peter 1:22-25 this morning, I so desperately wanted to skip it. It’s opening line (v.22) reminds me of some unexpected jolts in the love category that make it difficult to confront at this moment in my life. Writing concerning one of the principle elements of the Christian life, Peter says that we have been set apart “for a sincere love of the brethren.” He then adds a directive, “fervently love one another from the heart.”

In my very dignified, ministerial voice, I say, “Yes, we are to love one another.” However, reality and experience confront me as offensively as the gate that shocked me. Thirty years later I still remember which gates shocked me. Thirty hours later, thirty days later, and thirty years later, I still remember who hurt me, though they said they loved me. For anyone of us, it is difficult to love that person from the heart.

So, how do we move forward and obey the Scripture? First, we purify our souls in “obedience to the truth.” We honestly and completely forgive them. As they have offended us, we have offended others. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, we have issued an offense. Second, we remember that we are not to be carnal, but have been born again. Most likely, Christ has forgiven us of far greater things than what we have incurred from others. And, third, we remember the brevity of this life and endurance of God’s Word. Quoting an Old Testament passage, Peter reminds us that this life is like a blade of grass, it withers. However, the eternal Word of God endures throughout the ages. Both the promises and principles of the Word of God will remain intact.

Now, if you’ve ever been hurt, you most likely weren’t instantly healed when you read this. And, it’s probably not going to happen before you get home from work. It takes prayer, prayer, and more prayer to love as Jesus loved, “fervently from the heart.” But Jesus has modeled that it is even possible to love our enemies. And, if life’s like the farm, you’re going to see that gate, access that gate, and need that gate again real soon.

Forgive the gate. It was the mistaken carrier of unintended pain.

Application:

Have you ever experienced unexpected pain from someone you truly love? How did it feel?

Have you ever been the offensive gate in a relationship? Was it intentional? Did you seek forgiveness and work through it?

The major idea of this passage is that we must do whatever we have to do spiritually to “fervently love one another from the heart!” Let’s get it started today.

Prayer:

Father,

You know my difficulty with this passage this morning. I wanted to skip it, forward it to someone else, and even explain why it wouldn’t work in my situation. But the reality is I need to hear this, put it in action, and return to a fervent love from the heart. From this position that seems very difficult. But I know that You will help me to love even as Christ has loved me. As the gates reappear in my mind today, will You help me to forgive them. They are necessary to the function of my life, as I am necessary to theirs. Jesus, help us to be more like You today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.